Method and apparatus for providing point-to-multipoint multimedia service in a mobile communications system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing at least one user equipment (UE) with a point-to-multipoint multimedia service through two or more common physical channels in a mobile communications system. A radio network transmits a point-to-multipoint multimedia service through a plurality of physical channels using multiple codes. A user equipment (UE) receives multiple channel code information through a control channel from the radio network, configures a plurality of physical channels using the received multiple channel code information and receives the point-to-multipoint multimedia service through the configured physical channels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit ofearlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No.P2005-012363, filed on Feb. 15, 2005, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile communications system and,more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing at least onemobile communication terminal, or user equipment (UE), with apoint-to-multipoint multimedia service through two or more commonphysical channels in a mobile communications system.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network structure of a universal mobiletelecommunications system (UMTS). Referring to FIG. 1, the universalmobile telecommunications system (hereinafter, referred to as ‘UMTS’)includes a user equipment 1 (hereinafter, referred to as ‘UE’), a UMTSterrestrial radio access network 2 (hereinafter, referred to as ‘UTRAN’)and a core network 3 (hereinafter, referred to as ‘CN’). The UTRAN 2includes at least one radio network sub-system 4 (hereinafter, referredto as ‘RNS’) and each RNS includes a radio network controller 5(hereinafter, referred to as ‘RNC’) and at least one base station 6(hereinafter, referred to as ‘Node B’) managed by the RNC. The Node B 6includes at least one cell.

FIG. 2 is an architectural diagram of a radio interface protocol betweena UE 1 and UTRAN 2 based on the 3GPP (3rd Generation PartnershipProject) radio access network specifications. Referring to FIG. 2, theradio interface protocol horizontally includes a physical layer, a datalink layer and a network layer and the radio interface protocolvertically includes a user plane for data information transfer and acontrol plane for signaling transfer. The protocol layers in FIG. 2 canbe divided into L1 (first layer), L2 (second layer), and L3 (thirdlayer) based on lower three layers of the open system interconnection(OSI) standard model widely known in the communications systems.

The physical layer as the first layer provides an information transferservice to an upper layer using physical channels. The physical layer isconnected to a medium access control (MAC) layer above the physicallayer via transport channels through which data are transferred betweenthe medium access control layer and the physical layer. Data istransmitted between different physical layers, and more particularly,between the physical layer of a transmitting side and the physical layerof a receiving side via physical channels.

The medium access control (MAC) layer of the second layer providesservices to a radio link control (hereinafter abbreviated RLC) layerabove the MAC layer via logical channels. The RLC layer of the secondlayer supports reliable data transfer and is operative in segmentationand concatenation of RLC service data units (SDUs) sent down from anupper layer.

A radio resource control (RRC) layer located on the lowest part of thethird layer is defined in the control plane only and controls thelogical channels, the transport channels, and the physical channels withconfiguration, reconfiguration, and release of radio bearers (RBs). AnRB is a service offered by the second layer for the data transferbetween the UE 1 and the UTRAN 2. Generally, configuring an RB refers todefining the characteristics of protocol layers and channels necessaryfor providing a specific service and is to establish respective specificparameters and operational methods for them.

A multimedia broadcast/multicast service (hereinafter, referred to as‘MBMS’) offers a streaming or background service to a plurality of UEs 1using a downlink dedicated MBMS bearer service. An MBMS is providedduring one session, and data for the MBMS is transmitted to theplurality of UEs 1 via the MBMS bearer service during an ongoing sessiononly. A UE 1 performs activation first for receiving the MBMS to whichthe UE has subscribed and receives the activated services only.

The UTRAN 2 provides the MBMS bearer service to at least one UE 1 usingradio bearers. The radio bearers (RBs) used by the UTRAN 2 include apoint-to-point radio bearer and a point-to-multipoint radio bearer.

The point-to-point radio bearer is a bi-directional radio bearer and isconfigured by a logical channel DTCH (dedicated traffic channel), atransport channel DCH (dedicated channel), and a physical channel DPCH(dedicated physical channel) or a physical channel SCCPCH (secondarycommon control physical channel). The point-to-multipoint radio beareris a unidirectional downlink radio bearer and is configured by a logicalchannel MTCH (MBMS traffic channel), a transport channel FACH (forwardaccess channel), and a physical channel SCPCH. The logical channel MTCHis configured for each MBMS offered to one cell and is used fortransmitting user-plane data of a specific MBMS to a plurality of UEs.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a logical channel MCCH (MBMS control channel)in a conventional system is a point-to-multipoint downlink channel usedin transmitting control information associated with the MBMS. Thelogical channel MCCH is mapped to the transport channel FACH (forwardaccess channel), while the transport channel FACH is mapped to thephysical channel SCCPCH (secondary common control physical channel). Acell has only one MCCH.

The UTRAN 2 providing MBMS services transmits MCCH information throughthe MCCH channel to at least one UE 1. The MCCH information includesnotification messages, specifically RRC messages related to the MBMS.For example, the MCCH information may include messages indicating MBMSservice information, messages indicating point-to-multipoint radiobearer information or access information indicating that RRC connectionfor the MBMS is needed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating how MCCH information is transmitted ina conventional method. FIG. 5 illustrates a conventional method forproviding an MBMS.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the UTRAN 2 providing an MBMS servicetransmits the MCCH information to a plurality of UEs 1 via the MCCHchannel. The MCCH information is periodically transmitted according to amodification period and a repetition period.

The MCCH information is categorized into critical information andnon-critical information. The non-critical information can be freelymodified each modification period or each repetition period. However,the critical information can be modified only each modification period.

Specifically, the critical information is repeated one time eachrepetition period. However, the modified critical information can betransmitted only at a start point of the modification period.

The UTRAN 2 periodically transmits a physical channel MICH (MBMSnotification indicator channel) to indicate whether the MCCH informationis updated during the modification period. Therefore, a UE 1 attemptingto receive only a specific MBMS does not receive the MCCH or MTCH untila session of the service begins but receives the MICH (MBMS notificationindicator channel) periodically. The update of the MCCH informationrefers to a generation, addition, modification or removal of a specificitem of the MCCH information.

Once a session of a specific MBMS begins, the UTRAN 2 transmits an NI(notification indicator) through a MICH. The NI is an indication to a UE1 attempting to receive the specific MBMS that it is to receive an MCCHchannel. The UE 1, having received the NI via the MICH, receives an MCCHduring a specific modification period indicated by the MICH.

The MCCH information is control information, specifically RRC messages,associated with an MBMS. The MCCH information includes MBMS modificationservice information, MBMS non-modification service information, MBMSpoint-to-multipoint RB information and access information.

A UE 1 attempting to receive a specific MBMS using a point-to-multipointradio bearer receives MCCH information including radio bearerinformation via an MCCH and then configures the point-to-multipointradio bearer using the received information. After configuring thepoint-to-multipoint radio bearer, the UE 1 keeps receiving a physicalchannel SCCPCH, to which an MTCH is mapped, in order to acquire data ofthe specific MBMS transmitted via the MTCH.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a UTRAN 2 in a conventional system maytransmit MBMS data discontinuously via the MTCH. In doing so, the UTRAN2 periodically transmits a scheduling message to UEs 1 via an MSCH,specifically a SCCPCH carrying MTCH, to which an MTCH is mapped. Thescheduling message indicates a transmission start timing point andtransmission period of MBMS data transmitted during one schedulingperiod. The UTRAN 2 should previously inform the UE of a transmissionperiod, specifically a scheduling period, of scheduling information.

The UE 1 obtains the scheduling period from the UTRAN 2 and thenreceives scheduling messages according to the scheduling periodperiodically. The UE 1 receives a SCCPCH carrying a MTCH discontinuouslyand periodically using the received scheduling messages. Specifically,according to the scheduling messages, the UE 1 receives the SCCPCHcarrying the MTCH during times for which data is transmitted but doesnot receive the SCCPCH carrying the MTCH during times for which data isnot transmitted. Using the above-described scheme, the UE 1 can receivedata efficiently so that battery consumption may be diminished.

In the conventional method described above, a WCDMA system using a FDD(Time Division Duplex) mode transmits the SCCPCH using a channel code.This results in restricting the maximum transmission speed of an MBMStransmitted through the SCCPCH below 256 kbps, which is the maximumspeed of the SCCPCH. Therefore, a disadvantage of the conventionalmethod is that an MBMS service exceeding 256 kbps cannot be provided.

Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus and method that facilitatesproviding an MBMS service exceeding 256 kbps. The present inventionaddresses this and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to providing a method andapparatus for providing at least one user equipment (UE) with apoint-to-multipoint multimedia service at a higher speed through two ormore common physical channels in a mobile communications system. A radionetwork transmits a point-to-multipoint multimedia service through aplurality of physical channels using multi codes. A user equipment (UE)receives multiple channel code information through a control channelfrom the radio network, configures a plurality of physical channelsusing the received multiple channel code information and receives thepoint-to-multipoint multimedia service through the configured physicalchannels.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

In one aspect of the present invention, a method of providing apoint-to-multipoint service to at least one mobile communicationsterminal in a mobile communications system is provided. The methodincludes a network configuring at least two multi-code physical channelsand transmitting multi channel code information to the at least onemobile communication terminal, the multi channel code informationrelated to the transmission of point-to-multipoint service data via theat least two multi-code physical channels, the at least one mobilecommunication terminal configuring at least two physical channels usingthe multi channel code information, the network transmitting thepoint-to-multipoint service data via the at least two multi-codephysical channels and the at least one mobile communication terminalreceiving the point-to-multipoint service data via the at least twomulti-code physical channels.

It is contemplated that the method further includes the at least onemobile communication terminal combining point-to-multipoint service datareceived via the at least two multi-code physical channels. It isfurther contemplated that the method includes the network transmittingcontrol information to the at least one mobile communication terminalvia a specific one of the at least two multi-code physical channels andthe at least one mobile communication terminal receiving thepoint-to-multipoint service data using the control information.Preferably, the control information includes a transport formatcombination indicator (TFCI).

It is contemplated that the method further includes the networktransmitting a pilot signal to the at least one mobile communicationterminal via the specific one of the at least two multi-code physicalchannels. It is further contemplated that the method further includesthe network transmitting a point-to-point radio bearer (RB) includingthe multi channel code information.

It is contemplated that the method further includes the networktransmitting the point-to-point radio bearer via a control channel.Preferably, the control channel is a secondary common control physicalchannel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH).

It is contemplated that each of the at least two multi-code physicalchannels is a secondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH)carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH). It is contemplated that themulti channel code information is associated with one of a spreadingcode, an orthogonal code and an orthogonal variable spreading factor(OVSF) code. Preferably, the point-to-multipoint service is a multimediabroadcast or multicast service (MBMS).

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of providing apoint-to-multipoint service to at least one mobile communicationsterminal in a mobile communications system is provided. The methodincludes receiving multi channel code information, the multi channelcode information related to the transmission of point-to-multipointservice data via at least two multi-code physical channels, configuringat least two physical channels using the multi channel code informationand receiving the point-to-multipoint service data via the at least twomulti-code physical channels.

It is contemplated that the method further includes combiningpoint-to-multipoint service data received via the at least twomulti-code physical channels. It is further contemplated that the methodfurther includes receiving control information via a specific one of theat least two multi-code physical channels and receiving thepoint-to-multipoint service data using the control information.Preferably, the control information includes a transport formatcombination indicator (TFCI).

It is contemplated that the method further includes receiving a pilotsignal via the specific one of the at least two multi-code physicalchannels. Preferably, receiving the multi channel code informationincludes receiving point-to-point radio bearer (RB) information. Morepreferably, receiving the multi channel code information includesreceiving point-to-point radio bearer (RB) information via a controlchannel.

It is contemplated that the control channel is a secondary commoncontrol physical channel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS control channel(MCCH). It is further contemplated that each of the at least twomulti-code physical channels is a secondary common control physicalchannel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH).

It is contemplated that the multi channel code information is associatedwith one of a spreading code, an orthogonal code and an orthogonalvariable spreading factor (OVSF) code. It is further contemplated thatthe point-to-multipoint service is a multimedia broadcast or multicastservice (MBMS).

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing apoint-to-multipoint service to at least one mobile communicationterminal in a mobile communications system is provided. The methodincludes configuring at least two multi-code physical channels andtransmitting multi channel code information, the multi channel codeinformation related to the transmission of point-to-multipoint servicedata via the at least two multi-code physical channels and transmittingthe point-to-multipoint service data via the at least two multi-codephysical channels.

It is contemplated that the method further includes transmitting controlinformation via a specific one of the at least two multi-code physicalchannels. Preferably, the control information includes a transportformat combination indicator (TFCI).

It is contemplated that the method further includes transmitting a pilotsignal via the specific one of the at least two multi-code physicalchannels. It is further contemplated that the method further includestransmitting point-to-point radio bearer (RB) information including themulti channel code information.

It is contemplated that the method further includes transmitting thepoint-to-point radio bearer information via a control channel.Preferably, the control channel is a secondary common control physicalchannel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH).

It is contemplated that each of the at least two multi-code physicalchannels is a secondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH)carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH). It is further contemplated thatthe multi channel code information is associated with one of a spreadingcode, an orthogonal code and an orthogonal variable spreading factor(OVSF) code. Preferably, the point-to-multipoint service is a multimediabroadcast or multicast service (MBMS).

In another aspect of the present invention, a mobile communicationterminal for receiving a point-to-multipoint service from a network isprovided. The mobile communication terminal includes an antenna adaptedto receive RF signals containing messages including multi channel codeinformation and point-to-multipoint service data, the multi channel codeinformation related to the transmission of the point-to-multipointservice data via at least two multi-code physical channels, an RF moduleadapted to process the RF signals received by the antenna, a keypad forinputting information from a user, a storage unit adapted to store themulti channel code information, a display adapted to convey informationto the user and a processing unit adapted to configure at least twophysical channels using the multi channel code information and toprocess the point-to-multipoint service data received via the at leasttwo multi-code physical channels.

It is contemplated that the processing unit is further adapted tocombine point-to-multipoint service data received via the at least twomulti-code physical channels. It is further contemplated that theprocessing unit is further adapted to process the point-to-multipointservice data using control information received via a specific one ofthe at least two multi-code physical channels. Preferably, the controlinformation includes a transport format combination indicator (TFCI).

It is contemplated that the processing unit is further adapted toprocess a pilot signal received via the specific one of the at least twomulti-code physical channels. It is further contemplated that theprocessing unit is further adapted to process the multi channel codeinformation by processing point-to-point radio bearer (RB) information.

It is contemplated that the point-to-point radio bearer (RB) informationis received via a control channel. It is further contemplated that thecontrol channel is a secondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH)carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH).

It is contemplated that each of the at least two multi-code physicalchannels is a secondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH)carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH). It is further contemplated thatthe multi channel code information is associated with one of a spreadingcode, an orthogonal code and an orthogonal variable spreading factor(OVSF) code. Preferably, the point-to-multipoint service is a multimediabroadcast or multicast service (MBMS).

In another aspect of the present invention, a network for providing apoint-to-multipoint service to at least one mobile communicationterminal in a mobile communications system is provided. The networkincludes a transmitter adapted to transmit signals containing multichannel code information and point-to-multipoint service data to the atleast one mobile communication terminal, a receiver adapted to receivesignals from the at least one mobile communication terminal and acontroller adapted to configure at least two multi-code physicalchannels for transmitting the point-to-multipoint service data andgenerate the multi channel code information including informationrelated to the transmission of the point-to-multipoint service data viathe at least two multi-code physical channels.

It is contemplated that the controller is further adapted to transmitcontrol information via a specific one of the at least two multi-codephysical channels. It is further contemplated that the controller isfurther adapted to generate the control information including atransport format combination indicator (TFCI).

It is contemplated that the controller is further adapted to transmit apilot signal via the specific one of the at least two multi-codephysical channels. It is further contemplated that the controller isfurther adapted to transmit point-to-point radio bearer (RB) informationincluding the multi channel code information.

It is contemplated that the controller is further adapted to transmitthe point-to-point radio bearer information via a control channel. It isfurther contemplated that the control channel is a secondary commoncontrol physical channel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS control channel(MCCH).

It is contemplated that each of the at least two multi-code physicalchannels is a secondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH)carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH). It is further contemplated thatthe multi channel code information is associated with one of a spreadingcode, an orthogonal code and an orthogonal variable spreading factor(OVSF) code. Preferably, the point-to-multipoint service is a multimediabroadcast or multicast service (MBMS).

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description of the present invention are exemplary andexplanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of theinvention as claimed. These and other embodiments will also becomereadily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures,the invention not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention. Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that arereferenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same,equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects in accordance withone or more embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network structure of a universal mobiletelecommunications system (UMTS).

FIG. 2 is an architectural diagram of a radio interface protocol betweena UE (user equipment) and UTRAN (UMTS terrestrial radio access network)based on the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) radio accessnetwork specifications.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a channel configuration for an MBMS ina conventional UE.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a transmission scheme of MCCHinformation in a conventional system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional method of providing anMBMS.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a discontinuous data transmissionscheme for an MBMS through a MTCH in a conventional system.

FIG. 7 illustrates procedures according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a physical channelrelated to multi code SCCPCH channels in a UE according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a multi-code transmissionscheme according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile communication deviceaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing atleast one user equipment (UE) with a point-to-multipoint multimediaservice at a higher speed through two or more common physical channelsin a mobile communications system. Although the present invention isillustrated with respect to a mobile communication terminal, it iscontemplated that the present invention may be utilized anytime it isdesired to provide a point-to-multipoint multimedia service to anydevice in a mobile communications system.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. The embodiment of FIG. 7 is an example in which thetechnical features of the present invention are applied to a multimediabroadcast or multicast service (MBMS) in a UMTS system having thestructure depicted in FIG. 1, for example, when a UE 1 transmits andreceives data in a FDD mode of WCDMA.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a UTRAN 2 transmits an MBMS transmissionidentifier of an MBMS via an MBMS service information message through anMCCH to a UE 1 (S10). The UE 1, intending to receive the MBMS afterreceiving the MBMS service information message, receives MBMSpoint-to-multipoint radio bearer (RB) information from the UTRAN (S12).

The UTRAN 2 informs the UE via the MBMS point-to-multipoint RBinformation of multi channel code information for configuring multi-codephysical channels through which the MBMS is transmitted. The multichannel code information includes code information allocated to at leasttwo physical channels (SCCPCH) through which the MBMS is transmitted.

The UE 1 checks whether it has the capacity to receive the MBMS usingthe multi channels. If the UE is able to receive the MBMS, an RRC layerof the UE 1 configures two or more physical channels using the receivedmulti channel code information (S14).

The UE 1 receives physical channels carrying MTCH data using themulti-code (S16). When the UE 1 receives radio bearer information ofneighbor cells, it may receive data by combining physical channelstransmitted from two or more cells.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a physical channelrelated to multi code SCCPCH channels in a UE 1 according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention. When an MTCH is mapped to a FACH tobe transmitted, the physical layer of the UTRAN 2 divides and transmitsthe MBMS data of at least one FACH mapped to a coded composite transportchannel (CCTrCH) through two or more code physical channels configuredusing the multi channel code information. The UE 1 obtains transmitformat combination indicator (TFCI) information through a physicalchannel from the multiplexed two or more physical channels and receivesthe two or more physical channels using the TFCI information.

The UE 1, which has received the two or more physical channels for theCCTrCH, combines, decodes, and multiplexes the received data and thentransmits the result to the corresponding FACHs. MTCH data can betransmitted and received through two or more physical channels.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a multi-code transmissionscheme according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 9A illustrates an example where the TFCI and pilot signals aretransmitted with the MBMS data in one slot. FIG. 9B illustrates anexample where the TFCI and the MBMS data are transmitted. FIGS. 9A and9B are diagrams illustrating a structure for one slot. The samestructure can be applicable to every slot of the SCCPCH.

When control information for physical channels, such as the TFCI or thepilot signals, is transmitted together with the MBMS data, the controlinformation is transmitted through one physical channel alone. The MBMSdata is transmitted through the multiple physical channels.

The above-described embodiments are illustrated for a 3GPP mobilecommunications system. However, it will be apparent to those havingordinary skill in the art that the present invention is also applicableto a wireless communications system for a personal digital assistant(PDA) or a personal computer (PC) within which a mobile communicationinterface is installed.

Furthermore, the scope of the present invention should not beinterpreted within the scope of a UTMS system. The present invention maybe applied to other mobile communications systems using other airinterfaces and physical channels, for example, TDMA, CDMA, or FDMA.

The present invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardwareor a combination thereof. Specifically, the present invention can beimplemented using hardware logic such as codes, circuit chips or ASIC,or by using a computer program language in a computer-readable storagemedium, such as a hard disk, floppy disk, tape, optical storage medium,ROM or RAM.

The code stored in the computer-readable storage medium can be accessedand processed by a processor through a transmission medium or a fileserver on a network. The apparatus storing the code includes a wiretransmission medium, such as a network transmission line, a wirelesstransmission medium, signal transmission, wireless signals, and infraredray signals.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile communication device 100for performing the functions of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention. The mobile communication device 100 includes a processingunit module 110, such as a microprocessor or a digital processor, an RFmodule 135, a power control module 105, an antenna 140, a battery 155, adisplay module 115, a keypad 120, a storage module 130, such as a ROM, aSRAM, or flash memory, a speaker 145 and a microphone 150.

A user inputs command information, such as phone numbers, using thekeypad 120 or uses voice activation using the microphone 145. Theprocessing unit module 110 receives and processes the commandinformation to perform the function requested by the user. In order toperform the function, the processing unit module 110 retrieves and usesdata stored in the storage module 130 and displays the commandinformation and the retrieved data on the display module 115 for theuser's convenience.

The processing unit module 110 instructs the RF module 135 to transmitradio signals including voice data. The RF module 135 includes atransceiver and a receiver for transmitting and receiving the radiosignals and the radio signals are transmitted and received through theantenna 140. When receiving the radio signals, the RF module 135converts the radio signals into base band frequency signals such thatthe processing unit module 110 may process the base band frequencysignals. The processed signals can be delivered to the user through thespeaker 145 or in a form of readable information.

The RF module 135 receives data from a network or transmits informationmeasured or generated by the mobile communication device 100 to thenetwork. The storage module 130 stores information measured or generatedby the mobile communication device 100. The processing unit module 110processes the received data or data to be transmitted as well asperforming the methods of the present invention disclosed herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and arenot to be construed as limiting the present invention. The presentteaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Thedescription of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, andnot to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications,and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In theclaims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structuredescribed herein as performing the recited function and not onlystructural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

1. A method of receiving a point-to-multipoint service at a mobilecommunications terminal in a mobile communications system, the methodcomprising: receiving radio bearer (RB) information comprising multichannel code information on a control channel, the multi channel codeinformation including at least two channelization codes for configuringat least two multi-code physical channels; receiving a transport formatcombination indicator (TFCI), the TFCI indicating a transport formatcombination associated with the at least two multi-code physicalchannels; and receiving data for the point-to-multipoint service on theat least two multi-code physical channels based on the received TFCI,wherein the TFCI is received on a first multi-code physical channel onlyamong the at least two multi-code physical channels and the firstmulti-code physical channel is a multi-code physical channel having alowest index among the at least two multi-code physical channels, andwherein each of the at least two channelization codes is one of aspreading code, an orthogonal code and an orthogonal variable spreadingfactor (OVSF) code.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingcombining the point-to-multipoint service data received via the at leasttwo multi-code physical channels.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising receiving a pilot signal on the first multi-code physicalchannel.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the control channel is asecondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMScontrol channel (MCCH).
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the atleast two multi-code physical channels is a secondary common controlphysical channel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS traffic channel (MTCH). 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the point-to-multipoint service is amultimedia broadcast or multicast service (MBMS).
 7. A method forproviding a point-to-multipoint service to at least one mobilecommunication terminal in a mobile communications system, the methodcomprising: transmitting radio bearer (RB) information comprising multichannel code information on a control channel to the at least one mobilecommunication terminal, the radio bearer (RB) information including atleast two channelization codes for configuring at least two multi-codephysical channels; transmitting a transport format combination indicator(TFCI) to the at least one mobile communication terminal, the TFCIindicating a transport format combination associated with the at leasttwo multi-code physical channels; and transmitting data for thepoint-to-multipoint service on the at least two multi-code physicalchannels based on the TFCI, wherein the TFCI is transmitted to the atleast one mobile communication terminal on a first multi-code physicalchannel only among the at least two multi-code physical channels and thefirst multi-code physical channel is a multi-code physical channelhaving a lowest index among the at least two multi-code physicalchannels, and wherein each of the at least two channelization codes isone of a spreading code, an orthogonal code and an orthogonal variablespreading factor (OVSF) code.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising transmitting a pilot signal on the first multi-code physicalchannel.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the control channel is asecondary common control physical channel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMScontrol channel (MCCH).
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein each of theat least two multi-code physical channels is a secondary common controlphysical channel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS traffic channel (MTCH). 11.The method of claim 7, wherein the point-to-multipoint service is amultimedia broadcast or multicast service (MBMS).
 12. A mobilecommunication terminal for receiving a point-to-multipoint service froma network, the mobile communication terminal comprising: an antennaadapted to receive RF signals containing messages comprising multichannel code information, a transport format combination indicator(TFCI) and point-to-multipoint service data, the multi channel codeinformation including at least two channelization codes for configuringat least two multi-code physical channels and the TFCI indicating atransport format combination associated with the at least two multi-codephysical channels; an RF module adapted to process the RF signalsreceived by the antenna; a keypad for inputting information from a user;a storage unit adapted to store the multi channel code information; adisplay adapted to convey information to the user; and a processing unitadapted to configure at least two physical channels using the multichannel code information and to process the point-to-multipoint servicedata received via the at least two multi-code physical channels based onthe TFCI, wherein the TFCI is received on a first multi-code physicalchannel only among the at least two multi-code physical channels and thefirst multi-code physical channel is a multi-code physical channelhaving a lowest index among the at least two multi-code physicalchannels, and wherein each of the at least two channelization codes isone of a spreading code, an orthogonal code and an orthogonal variablespreading factor (OVSF) code.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein theprocessing unit is further adapted to process the multi channel codeinformation by processing point-to-point radio bearer (RB) information.14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the point-to-point radio bearer(RB) information is received via a control channel.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the control channel is a secondary common controlphysical channel (SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS control channel (MCCH). 16.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the at least two multi-codephysical channels is a secondary common control physical channel(SCCPCH) carrying an MBMS traffic channel (MTCH).
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the point-to-multipoint service is a multimediabroadcast or multicast service (MBMS).